The proposed Omaree’s Law has been shelved for the remainder of this legislative session.

Police said Omaree Varela was kicked to death by his mother in 2013. Varela was no stranger to Child Protective Services and the proposed law would have made it mandatory for Children, Youth and Families Department staffers to get kids out of a home if they showed significant and blatant signs of abuse.

“I think it's important to keep families together. I think it's important to protect children that are in danger -- so there's a balance to be achieved there and because there's been something egregious in the news does not necessarily mean it needs to be addressed in the Legislature,” said state Rep. Paul Bandy.